THE Mayor of Chard has spoken of her concerns about growing fears that the UK is rapidly developing a binge-drinking culture.

Cllr Cathie Morrison, who is keen to help in the battle against underage drinking locally, spoke out following the Prime Minister's plans to implement a new alcohol strategy to tackle people who guzzle down booze quickly.

"It seems to be OK to allow young people to drink and it's widely accepted as the norm," she said.

"But what people do not realise is the damage that it does in later life to their health."

The Mayor also said that binge-drinking had a knock on effect for the taxpayer with council workmen having to clean up the litter after a busy late night in the town, or from someone urinating in a shop doorway or being sick on the pavement.

"We should also remember that valuable police time is spent dealing with checking areas where young people hang out and cause problems to neighbours and having to take young people home to their parents when they are worse for wear for drink."

Somerset's director of public health, Dr Carolin Gamlin, added: "If you think only alcoholics and binge drinkers are putting their health at risk, you need to think again.

"Many people who see themselves as social drinkers are also at risk of developing long term health conditions because of the amount they regularly drink."